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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 1998 Week 2 Hansard (19 May) . . Page.. 297 ..

MR MOORE (continuing):

One of the things that we miss today is Alex's sense of humour. He had such a dry sense of humour and a fantastic ability to go to the heart of the matter with the minimum of words. One of the things that I always found interesting when I was trying to have a shot at him, trying to see whether I could get him to react, was that he would just pick out a few words and you would know that he had gone to the heart of the matter and taken the mickey out of you. He was very good at it. He did it in such a way that you knew that he still maintained the respect for members which was so important to him. But at the same time you knew his very extensive sense of humour was there in this very dry manner.

He was a man whom you can be very proud of and who was held in high regard by all members of this Assembly, across the political spectrum. I think that is reasonably unusual. It is often the case that people from different political philosophies have more difficulty handling one person than another person, but Alex went beyond that and did it by doing his work to the very best of his ability. The work that he did was fantastic. I would like to join with other members in extending my sympathy to the family in this very difficult time.

MR RUGENDYKE: I, too, rise to offer condolences to the family of a great friend, Alex Fyfe. Although I am fairly new to this place, I knew Alex quite well in his previous career, as a police officer. He was definitely one of life's gentlemen. As an old copper, along with Paul, it is with those thoughts in mind that I do offer condolences and deepest sympathy.

MR STANHOPE (Leader of the Opposition): I am, as everybody knows, relatively new here. I did not know Alex Fyfe very well, and I rise actually to speak on behalf of myself, Mr Quinlan and Mr Hargreaves to acknowledge that our association with Mr Fyfe was very short; nevertheless, in terms of our introduction to this place, he was, as everybody has indicated, extremely professional, extremely generous and gracious, and we acknowledge that. We also acknowledge the heart-rending sadness which the family and friends of Mr Fyfe must be experiencing now in terms of the suddenness of his death. We extend our sympathies to Mr Fyfe's family and to all his friends.

Question resolved in the affirmative, members standing in their places.

MR SPEAKER: Members, I have received a communication from Alex Fyfe's widow, Erlie, who, on her behalf and on behalf of her son, Alexander, and the family, wishes to thank all of you for your kind words.

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